As part of the deal signed today, players from the respective clubs will have the chance to experience life in a different league as part of their footballing education.

That means Mariners players getting a taste of England’s second tier with promising United youngsters heading in the opposite direction.

Not that it is strictly a two-destination partnership. The Yorkshire club also boasts sister clubs in Hungary, China and Belgium with a partnership deal with Brazilian side Sao Paulo also close to completion.

That opens even wider doors for the Mariners to walk through in the pursuit of building a global brand.

Executive chairman Lyall Gorman was joined by major investor Peter Turnbull and Sheffield United Plc chairman Kevin McCabe for the announcement.

Gorman said: “We have found the perfect partner. It opens up an incredible pipeline of opportunity. We are talking a global network that excites us tremendously.”

He described it as another step in the club’s vision with a tremendous pathway ahead.

The link came about following initial meetings between McCabe and Turnbull with the Sheffield United supremo describing it as ‘a meeting of minds’.

Turnbull also revealed an important financial boost for the Mariners with a joint venture called the Mariners Blades Property Corporation, from which a substantial amount of the profits raised will be channelled into the club.

McCabe said: “The Mariners will benefit from loan players with some of our young players from the academy or players from our sister clubs going out to gain further experience.

“The spirit of the Mariners is very similar to that of Sheffield United. There is a common aim and purpose here. It is not about us (United) nicking your players.”

McCabe revealed he had met with chief executives from two other Hyundai A-League clubs but felt the Mariners was the one to link up with.

The Sheffield United owner, who was instrumental in securing the transfer of David Carney from Sydney FC to Bramall Lane, also predicted that the next decade would see football overtake the other sporting codes down under.